by Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY Sports

by Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY Sports

MINNEAPOLIS -- At the end of Monday's 45-minute mandatory session with the news media, as Yasiel Puig itched to be done with the chore, he was asked for the umpteenth time about being in the All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby.

Puig's response did not divert from his usual, "I'm just going to give my best,'' but his body language was different. Then again, so was his inquisitor, fellow Cuban Aroldis Chapman. Turns out the Cincinnati Reds closer had beaten Puig to the punch in pretending to interview him.

"I was going to do the same thing to you and (Johnny) Cueto but I didn't have time,'' a jovial Puig told Chapman in Spanish.

Mass interview sessions like these, or even frequent contact with the media, were not part of life for standout athletes in Cuba, and the Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder relishes them about as much as tooth extractions.

But one of the traits that makes Puig such a compelling player is the kid-like joy he brings to the game, and his playful side can come out even in the most unlikely settings.

***

ENGLISH ONLY FOR KIMMEL

At one point while listening to the translation for one of the questions, the first-time All-Star pointed to the reporter's notepad and said in English: "Your paper. The paper.''

Then upon seeing what looked like a bunch of scribbles, he said, "You understand?''

Puig, 23, has picked up quite a bit of English in his two years in the U.S., and he constantly communicates with teammates who don't speak Spanish. He's not at the point of conducting interviews in English, though, unless he's going on the Jimmy Kimmel Show.

His appearance earlier this month, part of the Dodgers' ongoing efforts to improve his image, also sought to boost his chances of getting elected to the All-Star Game. Puig finished first in the voting among NL outfielders, making a late push to join the starting lineup. He'll bat second tonight and start in right field.

Asked by an L.A. broadcast reporter to respond to one question in English on Monday, Puig laughed and declined.

"You do it for Jimmy Kimmel, you can do it for me,'' the reporter said.

"It's only for Jimmy Kimmel,'' he responded in English, before adding in Spanish, "Then everybody will ask me things in English, and we can't have that.''

***

PUIG MORE DISCIPLINED

Nevertheless, the contrasts with Puig's rookie season have been remarkable, a testament to his ability to learn and adapt.

Once the target of frequent admonishments for his wild ways on the field, Puig has become more disciplined at the plate â?? his rate of swings at pitches outside the strike zone has decreased from 37% to 27.1% - and in right field. In 394 plate appearances this season, Puig has 42 walks and 78 strikeouts. Last year in 432 plate appearances, he had 36 walks and 97 strikeouts.

"I've been able to do it thanks to all my teammates and coaches,'' Puig said. "I know I still have to calm down a bit on the bases, because I've realized some of the things I've done can hurt us when we're in the playoffs. It's a bit hard, but you have to do it.''

The "Wild Horse,'' as Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully dubbed him last year, has tamed his ways just enough to fit into the American game and still be productive.

Puig ranks fifth in the National League in on-base plus slugging percentage at .915 and eighth in Wins Above Replacement (by the fangraphs.com formula) with 3.5.

"He arrived as a rookie, very young and with a lots of desire to play, and that's why some things happened to him,'' said Oakland Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who played against Puig in Cuba. "Now in his second year he has learned the league and calmed down, and he's more focused.''

***

MENDING FENCES

Puig has also repaired his relationship with Chicago White Sox rookie first baseman Jose Abreu, his former teammate with Cienfuegos of the Cuban league.

They barely had any contact with each other in the spring even though their teams have adjoining training sites.

Now, both are All-Stars, as Abreu has slammed 29 home runs in his first 82 games.

"We're texting each other every day and we talk about what we can do to improve,'' Abreu said. "Believe me, we're very happy and proud life has provided us the opportunity to have these results.''

Even Puig's exuberance seems to rankle opposing players less, perhaps because they've grown used to it, or maybe because they realize it's simply part of his persona, not an attempt to show them up.

Puig was properly deferential to retiring New York Yankees icon Derek Jeter on Monday, calling him one of his idols and saying, "I'd like someday to be like him, be that disciplined and accomplish some of the things he's done.''

At the same time, Puig has remained true to his attention-drawing self. He showed up in Minneapolis with a star cut into his Mohawk-style hairdo, and his bat flips â?? every bit as pronounced as last year â?? have become his trademark.

Alas, Puig got shut out in the Home Run Derby, depriving a national audience of whatever histrionics he may have planned.

Oh, well. It was just an exhibition, anyhow, and as Puig's stature increases, his antics and ability figure to win over any remaining skeptics.

"A lot of guys do that now. This isn't the '70s or the '80s anymore, where you're supposed to play with this hard- nosed, no-show thing,'' A's outfielder Brandon Moss said. "He's definitely got some flair, but he's an impressive player.''â??